Summary of New Business Motions

Western Washington Area Assembly

October 11, 12, 13, 2002

The Issaquah Community Center

This summary is provided to assist the Home Groups of the Western Washington Area to form an “informed group conscious” as per page 14 of “The AA Group” pamphlet – page 34 which says:

The group conscience is the collective conscience of the group membership and thus represents substantial unanimity on an issue before definitive action is taken.  This is achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of A.A. principles.  To be fully informed requires a willingness to listen to minority opinions with an open mind.

On sensitive issues, the group works slowly – discouraging formal motions until a clear sense of its collective view emerges.  Placing principles before personalities, the membership is wary of dominant opinions.  Its voice is heard when a well-informed group arrives at a decision.  The result rests on more than a “yes” or “no” count – precisely because it is the spiritual expression of the group conscience.  The term “informed group conscience” implies that pertinent information has been studied and all views have been heard before the group votes.

Additional information can be obtained by attending one of the pre-assemblies to be held August 17^th, 18^th, 24^th and 25^th.  Contact your District Committee Member (DCM) for the time and locations of the pre-assemblies.  Your DCM is also prepared to assist you with information as well as any of your elected or appointed area trusted servants.  If you have amendments, you are encouraged to involve your home groups in the process.  Because of the number of motions on the agenda, it may be advantageous to spread the discussions with your home groups over the next couple of months as you obtain an “informed group conscious” for the assembly.  Information on motions that have failed at the first three quarterlies has been provided to your DCM’s.  It may be advisable to also review these motions with your home groups as some may come up in some form as floor motions.

MOTION #1 – We move that the Western Washington Area form a Website Committee, composed of the Alternate Delegate, the Alternate Chairperson, the Public Information Chair, and the Cooperation with the Professional Community Chair, to create and provide oversight for an Area Website.  The Committee would be responsible for a domain name, finding a server, and the content of the Website.

Background:  This motion mirror’s the process used as several Districts implemented their Website.  Presently over 40 of the 93 other areas have websites operating. 

This could provide a way to increase the communication in the area with the posting of information on area activities such as quarterlies, assemblies, standing committee quarterlies, these motion summaries, many of the reports now published in our newsletter, etc.  Approval of this motion ensures the Area will create and manage a site in the next rotation.

For Your Consideration:  Costs to establish and maintain the Website including those in Motion #2 below.

MOTION #2 – We move that the Western Washington Area create the appointed position of Area Web Servant.  This person would become a member of the Area Website Committee, would be responsible for the input of content, and the maintenance of the website.  This position would include funding for communications and expenses incurred to attend the 3 Western Washington Area Quarterly Meetings and the Western Washington Area Assembly.

Background: This motion would create a new trusted servant position.  The expenses reimbursed would be the same as those with other committee chairs.  The Area Web Servant would submit a resume for selection as the other appointed chairs do at the present time.

For Your Consideration:  The cost of an additional area trusted servant which has been running between $1000 and $1200 pre year.  One option would be to create a Communications Chair position and also include the responsibilities of sound/recording equipment and interpreters for our quarterlies and assemblies.  

MOTION #3 – To allow open communication with the area, we move that the Western Washington Area 72 (WWA 72) provide interpretation services for language and ASL, when requested by any WWA 72 Committee Member or any voting member of a group or district within the WWA 72 area.  Services for the member to be provided at any pre-conference, pre-assembly, Area Quarterly or Area Assembly if the request is made at least 30 days in advance.  Interpreters to be paid at the current market rate and will be provided with registration, lodging, and travel as required.

Background:  District 9 has welcomed a hearing impaired group “Signs for Life” and it’s GSR to join the service structure of AA.  District 9 has passed a motion to provide ASL services at it’s monthly district meeting. 

Spanish language interpreters have been mostly voluntary and there is no system in place to cover the expenses they incur by providing this service to the area.

For Your Consideration: 

            Should the home group with a GSR needing interpretation services be required to fund these services?

            Should the home district be required to provide this funding?

            Should the individual needing special services provide their own funding?

            Is it really fiscally responsible to provide funding when only a few members need this service?

            Should we, as an area accept our responsibility and provide the best access we can to those that need these services?

            Please remember:  “I am responsible …When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there.  And for that:  I am responsible.”

MOTION #4 – AAWS publish a pamphlet titled “Bridge the Gap Between Prisons and AA.”

Background:  Presently AAWS has a pamphlet addressing the bridging process between the Fellowship and Treatment Centers.  This pamphlet does not address the issues associated with inmates in correction facilities.

For Your Consideration:  Should a pamphlet also be available for Corrections which spells out the “Bridge the Gap” process?

MOTION #5 – That Western Washington Area 72 withdraw from the Pacific Northwest Conference.

Background:  In 1946 Bill W. was looking for a way for the groups of North America to participate in the decision making process of the fellowship.  While his ultimate vision was for a Worldwide Conference, he proposed dividing the continent up into four quadrants which would elect representatives to the World Conference.  The Northwest Quadrant would have included Western Canada and the northern tier of States west of the Dakotas.   By 1948, while few were convinced of the need for a World Conference, 58 members from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington were ready to give it a try and attended the first Pacific Northwest Conference (PNWC) in British Columbia.  Idaho and parts of Northern Montana joined the conference later.  Five areas currently participate in the PNWC – B.C./Yukon, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Area East and Western Washington Area.  

The PNWC has become the oldest continuously operating conference of A.A.   Because of this history, there has been reluctance by the hosting areas to discontinue the conference.  A report from the 2002 host area – Washington Area East stated:

Hello to all

First I would like to give a special thanks to all who attended PNC, helped with PNC and give spiritual dollars to go towards the shortfall that the conference was experiencing.  I am happy the decision to continue PNC next year was made as I believe all who attended experienced an overwhelming feeling of gratitude as having attended this years PNC.  The total bill for the conference to the Double Tree Motel was $5,728.97.  We were able to pay all but a shortfall of $900.00.  I would ask that you share this information with your membership, groups, districts and areas.  An address has been created for any contributions to be sent to so that his balance can be paid to the motel.  I have to give a special thinks to the management of the Double Tree for their patience and considerations concerning the bill.  If anyone has any questions concerning the paying of the balance please contact me.  A detailed accounting statement of this years PNC is being prepared and will be forwarded to next years host committee chairman as detailed in the PNC guidelines.  Thanks again.

Rusty K.

509-323-7898

RustyK47@aol.com

Hosting of the PNWC has rotated between the areas with WWA slated to host the conference in 2004.  Support from the WWA has varied over the years.  Motion 83.2 moved and passed that the Washington Area Assembly not fund the Delegates expenses to the Pacific Northwest Conference, as we no longer require the attendance of either our Delegate or Chairperson at that Conference.  Motion 2000.1 stated:  Western Washington Area #72 support the Pacific Northwest Conference with seed money if required, not to exceed $200.00.  This money has not been forwarded, as subsequent PNWC’s have not requested the seed money.

Currently your Area Delegate and Area Chairperson are voting representatives to the PNWC if they are in attendance but as above, they are not reimbursed any expenses.  A total of 7 members from the WWA attended the 2002 PNWC in Spokane.  A similar number attended the 2001 PNWC in Boise. 

For Your Consideration:  The 2003 PNWC is being hosted by the Oregon Area in late June or early July of 2003.  The WWA 72 needs to notify the other areas if they wish to continue to be a participant in future conferences and host the 2004 PNWC as per the present schedule.  Because participation has been declining at the PNWC, it was decided to ask the WWA Home Groups if we should continue to be a participant.  If we withdraw as a host area, it will be up to the other areas to decide if the PNWC continues.

MOTION #6 – That the Western Washington Area be financially responsible for reimbursing any travel expenses incurred by appointed Area Officers when attending service functions at the invitation of Districts or Groups when those travel expenses cannot be covered by the inviting District or Group.  Reimbursements would be limited to $350.00 per officer per calendar year.  All reimbursements are to be accounted for by submission of receipts to the Area Treasurer or Alternate Treasurer.

For the purpose of this motion, travel expenses are defined as cost of conveyance (gas, etc.), meals and lodging; service functions are defined as those functions whose purpose directly serves the business of the Area, the Districts, or Groups (e.g. inventories, workshops, District/GSR meetings, District standing committee meetings, home group business meeting, etc.).

Background:  Under current practices appointed Area Officers are only reimbursed for pre-approved travel expenses established through motions passed at Area Assemblies.  These approved expenses are for attending Area functions and/or business meetings.  Districts or Groups wishing the assistance of appointed Area Officers have covered their travel expenses, usually by “passing the basket” at the service function.  At times the donations have been insufficient to offset the travel expenses of the appointed Area Officer(s) who have had to cover their own expenses.  Elected Area Officers have an unallocated budget of $350.00 per year to use as needed per Area Motion 00.4 and have used these funds for serving the fellowship in the Western Washington Area. 

For Your Consideration:  The following are some points to consider in debating this motion:

·        Tradition Nine – A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those we serve.  If our appointed Area Officers are expected to serve the fellowship in the Western Washington Area, shouldn’t they be given the full means to do so?

·        Equal opportunities to serve – by ensuring the expenses will be met by the fellowship, the ability of appointed Area Officers to serve the Districts/Groups will not be influenced or restricted by their personal financial status.  This issue was identified in the Western Washington Area Inventory conducted on July 13, 2001.

·        Additional expenses to the Area budget – The amount of money to cover a potential travel expense reimbursement is not easily figured into a budget.   If all 9 appointed Area Officers spent the $350.00, the total cost to the area would be $3,150.00.  What will this do to our area budget?  Will the money to cover a potential travel expense reimbursement be deducted from our annual contribution to GSO?  Should we increase the amount of our Area operating reserve to ensure adequate funds will be available?

·        If passed, appointed Area Officers would have the means to freely serve the fellowship by not being restricted to attending only those District/Group functions that can guarantee that their travel expenses would be met.  In addition, this motion, if passed, would remove a possible obstacle to less affluent Districts/Groups that may want to invite an appointed Area Officer to assist or inform the District/Group on AA matters but have balked at doing so because of the possibility of incurring debts they cannot meet.

·        If not passed, the situation will remain as it stands with Districts/Groups assuming responsibility for covering expenses. This may deter some Districts or Groups from inviting appointed Area Officers or seeking their help and limit the ability of the appointed Area Officer to be available to the Districts or Groups.  Or, as has been the case, appointed Area Officers will pay for the expenses if they can from their own pockets.

MOTION #7 – The WESTERN WASHINGTON AREA spend up to $2500 to purchase audio/recording and public address equipment.  Said Equipment to be used for Area business functions i.e. Quarterlies, Pre-Conference, Delegate’s Report, Pre-Assemblies and Assemblies.  Equipment to be the responsibility of the Alternate Area Chairperson.  Specifics of operation to be outlined and equipment to be operated by volunteers.  Final equipment purchased to be decided by an Ad Hoc Committee.

Background:  Motion #5 at the 2001 assembly also addressed this issue.  Significant differences between the two motions is that the new motion spells where the equipment will be used and that it is the responsibility of the Alternate Area Chair versus having a new appointed position.

For Your Consideration: 

1.      Dollar savings, equipment has a life in excess of ten years and we currently spend up to $1000 per year.

2.      Consistent quality of recordings.  This provides our Area Secretary with the tools to perform their job, as well as accurate records for our Archives.

3.      Ability to hear and be heard at Area business functions.  Many times when audio equipment is not available, it is hard to hear and receive the information.

4.      Cassette vs. CD – Cassette has a longer life.

Attached is suggested list of possible equipment to purchase.  Also attached is a response from GSO regarding the Sixth Tradition.

Motion to buy/build an audio recording system for Area use with provision to expand to audio amplifier and speakers.

                                                                                          Total Prices

Euro Pak 802A Audio Mixer Board              1ea                  150.00

Nady EDHT Duet Dual wireless mics             2ea                  420.00

Denon 770R dual cassette deck                     1ea                  400.00

Audio Tek MR-GSP rack mtg case               1ea                  100.00

Gator case (mics)                                          1ea                    40.00

Audio Tek Pro RPS-820 speakers                4ea                  280.00

Audio Tek Pro KC-308 spkr stands              2ea                    90.00

Audio Source AMP5.1   100W amp              1ea                  100.00

Mic cord (house connection)                          1ea                    25.00

Speaker wire/assemblies – total 300 feet                                100.00

Recording system ONLY                    -   $1135.00

Recording & PA sound system            -   $1755.00

Taxes, shipping, handling charges not included in this cost analysis.